Imports must stop being demonized and seen as an opportunity to develop the country for the sake of the reindustrialization that it promotes as a public policy the National Government.
That was one of the conclusions pointed out by Camilo Henao, executive director of Daluca International, a Colombian company based in China that promotes trade relations with the Asian giant.
It should be noted that China is currently the second origin of imports from Colombia in the period January-September 2022, with purchases for US$14,350.9 million.
(See: China relaxes: these are the new regulations against covid-19).
What is Daluca?
Daluca International is a company that is specialized in management and purchasing in China for different types of clients for different types of industries that are aiming to have a local partner on the other side of the world (we have a presence in China) for everything you have to do with supply.
That is our role. Facilitate the competitiveness of companies through the supply of raw materials, finished or semi-finished products that serve many purposes.
(See: China’s reopening would be a relief for the world economy).
How has the evolution been compared to 2020?
Our work has taken a more financial approach because before it was very easy to import from China, the freight rates allowed it, the exchange rate in the same way.
Virtually any person or company regardless of size could do it. Today the accounts do not cover many of them, because the scenario has become more complex.
Because of interest rates and the dollar?
The market will always behave differently. Before, freight rates were at US$12,000, they have already fallen a lot, but the dollar climbed to $5,000.
Regardless of what happens on the global stage, the main function of the entrepreneur today is to prepare, it is to invest in being strong internationally. Interest rates and rising prices in various sectors are worrying several companies, but the success of all these crises, so to speak, is to think of solutions that can be implemented at the business level that can give companies competitiveness.
(See: Oil closes a volatile day, keeping an eye on Opec+ and China).
Camilo Henao, CEO of Daluca
courtesy
What are the areas of the companies you currently work with?
We serve small, medium and large companies from various sectors, including machinery, cosmetics, technologies, textiles, steel, among others.
How is the Daluca operation going this year?
It has been quite an interesting year due to the opportunities that have arisen throughout it.
Of course, in the early years of covid-19, many companies put a brake on imports, but during 2022, even with all these events, many companies have woken up.
As much as there is some negativity in the business community, we do have other companies that are interested in moving forward with China regardless.
It will not stop being a strategic market worldwide. Therefore, I consider that it is key to think about investing.
How is Daluca’s turnover?
On average, we manage purchase operations between US$10 million and US$12 million among the different clients we serve.
The increase in imports has been criticized in various spaces:
how do you see the signs?
Many countries, such as Ecuador or China itself, have been strengthened since the implementation of strategies at the government level so that the country grows in its production.
In Colombia they talk about strengthening agriculture, but I have wondered when they are going to promote a policy that says “let’s import machinery for agriculture free of tariffs.” That would be transformational for the industry. Colombian companies would do wonders with that technology.
(See: China eases anti-covid restrictions after protests).
Import is a tool, an engine for development.
We must remove the taboo to say that importing is harmful to the country. You have to give it a balance, as in everything.
ROBERTO CASAS LUGO
Journalist Portfolio
